{{translation|'''[[Wikipedia:Shinobi|Shinobi]]'''|忍}} otherwise referred to as {{translation|'''[[Wikipedia:Ninja|ninja]]'''|忍者}} in the English translation of ''Naruto'', are the primary focus and the main military power in the series. A female ninja is known as a {{translation|'''[[Wikipedia:Kunoichi|kunoichi]]'''|くノ一}}. Most come from a hidden village, of which some come from specialised [[ninja clans]], and will perform [[missions]] for a fee. These missions can include: doing manual labour, acting as escorts, gathering secret information, retrieving stolen items, carrying out assassinations, etc. In times of war, ninja will come together to defend their villages and land. The clearest characteristic of a shinobi is their ability to manipulate [[chakra]] to create and use [[Jutsu|techniques]]. Shinobi are expected to be loyal to their villages for life, and any defectors are considered to be [[missing-nin]], and will be marked for death.

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{{translation|'''[[Wikipedia:Shinobi|Shinobi]]'''|忍}} otherwise referred to as {{translation|'''[[Wikipedia:Ninja|ninja]]'''|忍者}} in the English translation of ''Naruto'', are the primary focus and the main military power in the series. A female ninja is known as a {{translation|'''[[Wikipedia:Kunoichi|kunoichi]]'''|くノ一}}. Most come from a hidden village, of which some come from specialized [[ninja clans]], and will perform [[missions]] for a fee. These missions can include: doing manual labor, acting as escorts, gathering secret information, retrieving stolen items, carrying out assassinations, etc. In times of war, ninja will come together to defend their villages and land. The clearest characteristic of a shinobi is their ability to manipulate [[chakra]] to create and use [[Jutsu|techniques]]. Shinobi are expected to be loyal to their villages for life, and any defectors are considered to be [[missing-nin]], and will be marked for death.

== Jutsu ==

== Jutsu ==

Revision as of 13:23, March 19, 2013

Shinobi as seen in the series.

Shinobi (忍) otherwise referred to as ninja (忍者) in the English translation of Naruto, are the primary focus and the main military power in the series. A female ninja is known as a kunoichi (くノ一). Most come from a hidden village, of which some come from specialized ninja clans, and will perform missions for a fee. These missions can include: doing manual labor, acting as escorts, gathering secret information, retrieving stolen items, carrying out assassinations, etc. In times of war, ninja will come together to defend their villages and land. The clearest characteristic of a shinobi is their ability to manipulate chakra to create and use techniques. Shinobi are expected to be loyal to their villages for life, and any defectors are considered to be missing-nin, and will be marked for death.

Jutsu

Main article: JutsuJutsu (術, Literally meaning: skills/techniques) are the mystical arts a ninja will utilise in battle. To use a technique, the ninja will need to use their chakra. To perform a technique, the ninja will bring out and release the two energies of chakra. By forming hand seals, the ninja is able to manifest the desired technique. Because of the extensive number of hand seals and different combinations, there are thousands of potential techniques to be discovered.

Shinobi can use a variety of techniques often based on the utilisation of chakra. This allows shinobi to perform extraordinary feats such as walking on water or walking up trees. Jutsu are separated into three groups, ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu. Ninjutsu implies performing a supernatural or beyond normal ability, the most common of which is the elemental jutsu. These are created by the user transforming their chakra into a specific nature or 'release'. The chakra types are Lightning, Earth, Fire, Wind, and Water. Other sub-types of chakra natures such as Wood Release and Ice Release also exist, created by combining two of the basic five releases. Taijutsu implies physical body techniques, which may or may not require chakra. Genjutsu manipulates the chakra in an enemy's mind and disrupts their chakra flow. Their senses get fooled which creates illusions, things that the foe believes to be real that are in fact fake.

Tools

Ninja tools are used as alternatives to jutsu. They can include weapons, accessories, and even clothing. Some ninja such as Tenten have mastered the use of such tools, but all ninja are able to use the most common to some degree. A standard shinobi will have a pouch equipped with many such tools, and nearly every ninja is equipped with at least a shuriken holster. Most also possess and wear a forehead protector with the symbol of the village they derive from, though the ninja does not necessarily have to wear it over their forehead. The Inuzuka clan's ninken and Aburame clan's insects are also classified as tools.